Need to find an Aires

Neil 123
Neil 123 Forum Participant Posts: 21
edited August 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi,

I am travelling in our motorhome from Caen to just outside La Rochelle and would like to know of an Aires that I can use. I initially intended driving down and arriving at 9pm but am looking at the possibility of an overnight stay and then a fresh start
in the morning. This is my 1st year of camping/motorcaravanning etc and my first trip abroad. Any advice whether is is in Caen or perhaps an hour or two further down. Thanks

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #2

    Have a look at the various guides to Aires on sale by mail order from Vicarious Books.

    But at 9 pm plus, rather than driving on into the night pull in to Camping Riva Bella just outside the Caen ferry port where there is an Aire within the campsite - it will cost you €12. 

  • Neil 123
    Neil 123 Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 2016 #3

    Thanks for the advice. will have a look at that. Are there any facilities nearby to eat and drink ?

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #4

    If you are thinking of the ferry leaving Portsmouth at 1445 and arriving at 2130 your best bet is a meal on the ship - either in the smart restaurant or in the cafeteria. It may well  be 2200 by the time you are off the boat - there is no restaurant at that
    campsite and the town restaurants will probably be closed. Bon voyage.

  • Neil 123
    Neil 123 Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 2016 #5

    Hi

    We are actually leaving Caen at 0815hrs so should be there at around 1500hrs. Our camp site in I'le de Re will be closed by the time we arrive although we they will leave instructions for us so I was wondering about a stay en route.

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #6

    Neil, which route are you taking from Caen?  If you're going via Rennes and Nantes, there are various Aires along that route and not far off it.

    A good website for Aires is
    HERE      Have fun in planning and enjoy your trip, France is a great country for MHs, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #7

    Oh, and another website for Aires HERE

    See the details for France

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited August 2016 #8

    If you are taking the Autoroute via Le Mans you can of course stay at any of the Aires. I would choose a 24 hour full service Aire and you may find that you also have a Motorhome service point. Most of the full Aires have facilities for taking a shower,
    some for a nominal charge.

     

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #9

    Neil, Sorry, I misunderstood your timings. With a 3 pm. arrival in Ouistreham my own preference would be to drive for a couple of hours and stay at the municipal campsite at Fougeres - though there is a free Aire in that town and many others like it. I tend to make things up as I go along! 

     

  • Neil 123
    Neil 123 Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 2016 #10

    Hello,

    I would like to thank you for your advice.

    Many Thanks

    Neil

  • KeithandMargaret
    KeithandMargaret Forum Participant Posts: 660
    500 Comments
    edited August 2016 #11

    It depends on which way you intend taking to La Rochelle.

    If you want to miss the Toll roads then heading towards Le Mans is probably the better option.

    If you don't mind the Toll roads then going towards Rennes may suit you better.

    Either way has plenty of free or very cost effective Aires close by – just give us an idea of which way you're going.

    PS - I agree about Fougeres if you're going that direction

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited August 2016 #12
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #13

    I assume you are travelling this month. Whatever you decide to do I wouldn't leave it much later than 4 ish to look for a stop. Sites and aires especially the latter are still pretty busy.

    peedee

  • Neil 123
    Neil 123 Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 2016 #14

    Hi

    I apologise for the delatyed response. I have found one in La Fleche which has some good reviews and I believe is just off the toll roads which I will be travelling along.

    Neil

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #15

    the aire in La Fleche is alongside the main road and can be a bit noisy at times, though the view is to die for...

    twas parked up there for a cuppa, that we espyed the campsite over the river, went to investigate and have been back a few times since....

  • Neil 123
    Neil 123 Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 2016 #16

    Thanks Bolero.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited August 2016 #17

    Pulled up there a couple of times with the caravan for a lunch break on the way home.

  • Millerman39
    Millerman39 Forum Participant Posts: 45
    edited August 2016 #18

    You're right David. We came back from La Rochelle last week via Nantes without using any toll roads. I have a Sanef but never used it during over 3 weeks  in France. Perhaps OP would be good enough to post details and opinion of their site on Ile de Re on return.  We went for a day & OH has decided we ought to go for much longer next May / June.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #19

    You're right David. We came back from La Rochelle last week via Nantes without using any toll roads. I have a Sanef but never used it during over 3 weeks  in France. Perhaps OP would
    be good enough to post details and opinion of their site on Ile de Re on return.
     We went for a day & OH has decided we ought to go for much longer next May / June.

    We loved it there, we stayed at La Tour des Prises, just about middle of the island so can reach anywhere easy, site is right next to the vineyards and a few minutes from the beach, not far from the nearest town for supplies and if you cycle you can go for
    miles on cycle paths from right outside the campsite gate. Nice to see you again glad you are enjoying France.Smile

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #20

    the aire in La Fleche is alongside the main road and can be a bit noisy at times, though the view is to die for...

    twas parked up there for a cuppa, that we espyed the campsite over the river, went to investigate and have been back a few times since....

    We did it slightly different BB; stayed on the campsite, had a wander into town, past the aire, and thought we're better off on the site!

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2016 #21

    the aire in La Fleche is alongside the main road and can be a bit noisy at times, though the view is to die for...

    twas parked up there for a cuppa, that we espyed the campsite over the river, went to investigate and have been back a few times since....

    We did it slightly different BB; stayed on the campsite, had a wander into town, past the aire, and thought we're better off on the site!

    We did the same this year and agree with you.

    Peedee 

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